On June 11, many of the 125 volunteers who operate Estate Treasures met at the Elks Lodge in Stevensville for their annual luncheon. The meal was an opportunity to celebrate their successes, welcome new committee members and recognize volunteers who have reached service milestones.
Estate Treasures, an upscale retail shop located in Chester raises funds for Compass Regional Hospice. Since opening 24 years ago, Estate Treasures has contributed more than $1.8 million that has been used to provide hospice care and grief services to people of all ages.
Addressing the volunteers, Heather Guerieri, executive director of Compass Regional Hospice, said, “This has been a year of many changes for our hospice. Change is necessary but not always easy. When we extended our stellar hospice services into Kent and Caroline county we also changed our name to Compass Regional Hospice to better define who we are as we expanded our geographic area.”
Guerieri added, “We are truly blessed to have such a dedicated group of volunteers who give endlessly to our cause. The monies raised by Estate Treasures and all of our fundraising efforts enable us to turn no one away regardless of ability to pay.”
Guerieri asked the luncheon guests to join her in a moment of silence for the Estate Treasures volunteers who passed away in the last year. She said, “We honor today the memory of Jackie Lewis, Thea Marvel and Jean Conrad. These extraordinary ladies will be missed but not forgotten.”
Today, the daily operations of Estate Treasures is managed by a committee comprised of volunteers skilled in retail sales, community relations, fashion and business operations. Beth Hickman and Rosalind Laskin were elected to the committee, which includes co-chairs Lorraine Sincavage and Kay Dermody; Debbie Dean and Alan Hais, liaisons to the Compass Regional Hospice board of directors; shop manager Sharon North; Dorothee Young, treasurer; Ruth Hoffman, corresponding secretary; Nina Huguenin, volunteer coordinator; and members at large Joan Hoffman and Bonnie Walter.
Outgoing Estate Treasures committee member and retiring volunteer Jean McGeeney was honored as the “Sub of the Decade.” Lorraine Sincavage, who nominated McGeeney, said, “Jean has been a volunteer for over 15 years and has helped in many positions, including cashier, training people on the computer as well as running and helping with various fundraisers. She was always there when help was needed. So much so that in just the last three and a half years she has put in 2,169 volunteer hours. But the one thing she did the most was filling in when anyone needed a substitute to run the cash register. ”
Pins were presented to the Estate Treasures volunteers who had completed service milestones. Recognized for completing their first year of service were: Julia Daniel, Norma Dean, Marilyn DeYoung, Gale Flynn, Elisa Hagerty, Susan Hansen, Beth Hickman, Ellie Hickman, Debbie Houck, Susan Johnson, Patti Jones, JoAnn Lanning, Rosalind Laskin, Sally Lewis, Judy Monger, Anne Tyler, Jackie Urlock, Denise Vick and Janet Wesolowski.
Service pins for five years were given to Russ Anstey, Mary Barnes, Sandra Crouch, Linda Gardner, Sylvia Hartke, Judy Peppel, Sally Sackman and Betty Thomas.
Marking 10 years as Estate Treasure volunteers were Marcia Dressler, Pat Finney, Gloria Floyd, Elsie Lawson, Willie Pauls and Dorothee Young
Honored for completing 15 years of service were Marianne Dunn, Betty Stewart and Lucille Thomas.
Completing 20 years of service were Susan Almy, Lois Anstey, Dot Eaton, Rita Russ, Helen Wallace and Flo Wieland.
Anticipating the 25th anniversary of Estate Treasures, which will be celebrated in 2016, shop pioneers Carolyn Dobyns, Kathy Hovland, Jackie Mageovage, Camilla Parrott, Peggy Thompson and Alice Wiseman were recognized for moving into their 25th year of service.
Estate Treasures is located at 17 Kent Towne Market in Chester. The resale shop features gently worn fine clothing, career and formal apparel, fashion accessories, jewelry, home furnishings, greeting cards, books, small antiques and other donated treasures. The shop hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information about Estate Treasures, call 410-643-7360. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and services provided by Compass Regional Hospice, call 443-262-4100 or visit online at www.compassregionalhospice.org.
Front image: Estate Treasures volunteer coordinator Nina Huguenin (left) recognizes Pat Elsy for 10 years of service.
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